The past year has brought immense change to the global landscape and to health initiatives across UW–Madison, Wisconsin, the nation, and world.
In the face of this shifting environment, the UW–Madison Global Health Institute (GHI) continues to move both “Onward” and “Forward,” building connections across disciplines, sectors, and geographies to address the world’s most complex health challenges. We appreciate your dedication to our mission and hope you will continue strengthening GHI’s work to improve global health worldwide.
As UW’s global health hub for the past 15 years, GHI proudly serves as a catalyst — incubating innovative research, education, and outreach efforts while supporting a constellation of successful organizations and initiatives that originated within or are hosted by GHI, each contributing to a shared vision of improving health and well-being for communities in Wisconsin and around the world.
Over the years, GHI has steadily expanded its role as a convener and collaborator, fostering new partnerships and empowering UW faculty, staff, and students through skills development, mentorship, and meaningful opportunities. Our impact includes:
- Advancement of the Wisconsin Idea Globally: GHI facilitated government and industry partnerships to expand the UW’s gene and cell therapy efforts in Colombia and India.
- Global Health Education: GHI played a pivotal role in developing the UW’s undergraduate global health certificate and major. These programs attract hundreds of students each year and prepare and empower the next generation of global health leaders with skills, mentorships, and global opportunities.
- Hands-On Student Learning: Through GHI-affiliated international internships, students and trainees gain immersive, hands-on learning experiences that strengthen cultural understanding, build professional skills, and deepen their commitment to service.
- Seed Investments in Action: GHI has provided $2 million in critical early funding to campus researchers pursuing action-oriented ideas. These pilot programs often take root and grow into large-scale initiatives supported by extramural grants—demonstrating the power of investing in bold ideas at their inception.
- Community Engagement Opportunities: GHI produces a free monthly webinar series called Global Health Tuesdays to highlight global health topics with UW and global researchers and change -makers. GHI also co-produces the university’s Global Health Symposium with the Office of Global Health at the Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. The theme of this year’s symposium is Establishing Trust for Emergency Preparedness: The Role of Universities & Alliances.
These accomplishments — and the lives they touch — are only possible because of people like you. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference. Your generosity fuels discovery, strengthens education, expands partnerships, and ultimately improves health for Wisconsin and Badgers everywhere.
Be one who gives. Be one with Wisconsin.